Crowhurst-spring-2019

Spring 2019
In His Healing Steps

Gathering of our Prayer Ministers in January this year
In this issue
04 Steve & Veronica’s Letter
05 Holy Spirit Teaching Days for 2019
06 Welcome to David and Colleen
Mayhew
06 Introducing Trevor, the gardener
08 90 hours for our hearts to sing
10 Forthcoming Events
11 - 14 Prayer Focus
15 Remembering Emma
16 Crowhurst Christian Healing
Centre (CCHC) serves The
Nazareth Trust (TNT)
20 The Transformative Presence of Jesus
November 2018
22 Book Review: ‘Loved Beyond
Measure’: A Crowhurst Publication
23 Staff Christmas Party 2018
Nothing will stop the staff at CCHC from
delivering a first class service to their guests!
Here is Justine at work in the kitchen during
a massive power cut in February, using
torchlight to see! No electricity meant no hot
food so it was take away fish and chips for
supper, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed!

Editorial
There is a time for everything, and a
season for every activity under the
heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1
This is one of my favourite Bible verses. I
hesitated to use it because our new Chaplain,
David, has opened his article with it too, so I
hope you will all be doubly blessed as you soak
up these encouraging words!
God has gifted us with four amazing
seasons, all of which bring different blessings,
and as much as I enjoy the summer months,
I think spring is my favourite season because
it heralds new growth after the dark days of
winter.
I love the excitement of spring bulbs
emerging in my garden and feel relieved
when I see what has survived the cold and
dark days of winter. It really thrills me to see
plants that have lain bare and almost lifeless
for many months showing signs of new life.
In Revelation 21:5 Jesus says, “I am making
everything new!”
I also marvel at the emerging shoots from
seeds which fell to the ground during last
year. They have miraculously survived being
underground in cold, dark and wet soil for
many months, and yet here they are on their
way to becoming a beautiful plant. All part of
God’s plan as Jesus tells us in John 12:24 —
“unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies,
it produces many seeds.”
There are parallels with people and plants
in that each one of us will have seasons in
which we are kind of dormant, for one reason
or another, and at times there may not appear
to be much growth in our lives but that’s when
we have to be patient as we wait to see what
the Lord is saying to us in a particular season.
I think we could take a leaf (excuse the pun!)
out of a plant’s book and acccept that each
season is for different things. During winter
a plant can’t be ‘rushed’ into new growth and
neither can we!
Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre
has seen a staggering 3,600 different seasons
during its existence, and during 2018 we
celebrated the past 90 years with some
wonderful events. The buntings may have now
come down, the anniversary logo is no longer
on our stationery and magazine cover but
as we enter a different season, new growth is
already happening! The Chaplain’s bungalow
has been completed and is now occupied
by our new Chaplain, David and his wife,
Colleen, who we are delighted to welcome to
the team.
One exciting ‘new thing’ is another
Crowhurst publication, which will be on our
Bookstall very soon. ‘Loved Beyond Measure’ is
a book containing 90 testimonies from guests
and visitors to the Centre during 2018. This is
‘a book with a difference’, which you can read
about on page 22.
We move forward in faith, and trust that
our wonderful God will continue to make all
things new at CCHC!
Every blessing, Mary
3

Steve and Veronica’s Letter
Dear Friends,
‘Since we live by the Spirit, let us
keep in step with the Spirit.’
Galatians 5:25.
We need to remember that our new life in
Christ is a gift of life from God (I believe
that is what ‘to live by the Spirit’ means —
do you?) To keep in step with the Spirit, is
to live that new gift of life with the Spirit’s
help. So God births our new life and then
He enables the gift of life to be lived. Our
lives are God given and God guided.
The village of Crowhurst recently had
a power cut. Our internet, computers,
lighting, heating, cookers and telephones
all went dead (we had cheese and tomato
sandwiches rather than quiche for lunch
— not quite changing water to wine but
hey …!) Power cuts remind us how reliant
we are on electricity and how we take it for
granted. Power cuts can leave you feeling
lost and frustrated, unable to complete work
planned. If there was a ‘God cut’ (if God
withdrew the Holy Spirit) I believe that
the result would be similar. There is a real
danger for us as Christians to do things in
our own strength — denying the gift of life
or the gift of help we have been given.
The call to follow Jesus is a call to let go and
let God. It is about co-operating and being
in tune with the Holy Spirit, seeing His
solutions and not ours. It involves pursuing
a love relationship with God, by the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the fellowship
(Communion — intimacy) of the Holy
Spirit. Veronica emphasises the point.
Veronica
As we transition over the threshold
into 2019, I have a sense of breathlessness,
of waiting. Last year was so busy, and so
focused on the 90 th anniversary, but in the
midst of that the Lord was establishing
the foundation for the way ahead. Now
we find ourselves poised to find out what
that means. Life is like that, isn’t it? There
are periods when we seem to know exactly
what is required of us, but when we come
to the end of such times — like finishing
university, retirement, or children leaving
home — the sense of “what now?” can be
daunting. But the future is always founded
on the past, and the present — rather than
being a no-man’s land between the two — is
a place of enormous potential.
Already 2019 has seen some unexpected
moments which have required us, as
individuals and a body, to seek the Lord’s
wisdom there and then — an experience
which has thrown a light both on His
heart for the moment and the possibilities
of the path ahead. The times of greatest
uncertainty can be the times of greatest
dependency on the Lord.
As we look back to last year’s great
celebration of the faithfulness of God to our
90 year history, there are countless stories to
illustrate the God dependency! (Have you
read Colin and Diane Crook’s brilliant book
‘To God be the Glory’ yet?). It is on sale at
CCHC for £6.00.
4

I have a real sense of God at work as
I look around the Centre, not least of all
at our new leadership structure (Steve,
Suzanne and John Brown) but also to our
strengthened Chaplaincy team (welcome
to David and Colleen).
As we look forward, I lean on words
recently received from God to the Trustees,
Leadership and Prayer Partners:
The Lord is doing a new thing; wait on
the Lord; observe what the Lord is doing;
continue to pursue relationship with the
Lord.
Please pray for us in what Colin Crook
has called a ‘year of adjustment’, and as we
learn to walk in step with the dear Holy
Spirit.
With love from,
Steve and Veronica
Holy Spirit Teaching
Days for 2019
During 2019 CCHC are holding a number
of Holy Spirit Teaching Days. The first
one, ‘A Personal Pentecost’ took place
on 20 February and explored the special
significance of Pentecost, and our need to
have a personal experience so as to play
our part in advancing the Kingdom of
God.
If you missed this Teaching Day, there
are three more planned, as follows:
15 May
Gifts of the Spirit (1)
19 June
Gifts of the Spirit (2)
25 September
Gifts of the Spirit (3)
Cost of the day is £30, which includes
morning tea/coffee, lunch and afternoon tea.
You can book via the internet –
www.crowhursthealing.org.uk or ring the
office on 01424 830033.
5

Welcome to David and Colleen Mayhew
“The Lord meets us where we are”
There is a time for everything and a
season for every activity under the
heavens: …. a time to plant and a
time to uproot … Ecclesiastes 3v1f.
I, David, was born in Ireland, at a very
tender age (naturally!), but grew up for
most of my life in England. I thought at
University that my career path would take
me into the Law, but when I surrendered
my life to Jesus at 21, He very quickly led
me step by step into a life of missions,
evangelism and church work.
Colleen was born in Cape Town, South
Africa, and worked as a Social Worker
for several years in the area around
Johannesburg. We met at All Nations
Christian College in Ware, a Bible college
preparing folks in particular for missions.
We have a daughter, Natasha, who was
born in Rome and has done a degree
in Creative Writing. She now lives in
Chichester.
After Bible (did someone say ‘bridal?’)
college, we worked with YWAM (Youth
With A Mission) in Amsterdam, doing
evangelism through drama on the street
squares, coffee bar work and taking young
people on short term (five month) mission
trips around the southern Mediterranean
countries. On one of these trips, God very
clearly called us to Italy, especially through
a pastor from Rome imploring through the
words of Acts 16:9 to ‘Come over and help
us!’ This led us to doing two stints in Italy,
one for twelve years and another for eight,
pastoring, working in church planting
projects and Discipleship Training Schools.
This was interspersed with ten years
back in the UK working at the Farnhams
and Hedgerley Community Church, a
relatively new church plant in Bucks.
For the last eight years, we have been
overseeing the mission outreach of the
already established Trastevere Baptist
Church of Rome in its journey to become
an autonomous church. This was in an area
of Rome called Laurentino, where tourists
don’t come to unless they are lost! It is
characterised by high rise blocks of flats,
urban decay, poverty, crime and sprawling
rubbish bins. As a new Church, we called
ourselves ‘Il Ponte’ (‘The Bridge’), not only
because of the many bridges spanning our
road that connected the blocks of flats,
but also because we sought to be a bridge
of new life and hope in God to the local
residents.
Certainly L38, as the area of Laurentino
is known, is a far cry from the pleasant
surroundings of Crowhurst, but there is
undoubtedly a season for everything in
our walk with God. We have been feeling
for some time now that God is calling us
to a more reflective walk with Him, where
there is space for listening to Him and
seeing His Kingdom come in healing and
through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
6

Introducing Trevor, our new
gardener (and removal man!)
We have found such an amazing
welcome at Crowhurst Christian Healing
Centre since arriving here on November
30 th 2018. It was indeed significant for
us to be able to participate in our first
retreat entitled Old and New Treasures at
the end of December. For three days we
looked at the book of Ruth, letting God
speak through this amazing short book,
revealing and confirming what He has
already done in us, the amazing things
He is doing in our lives in the present, as
well as glimpsing something of the new
things he has in store for us in future.
Particularly significant for Colleen and
myself was Ruth 4:6, which is the beautiful
picture of God placing a new baby into the
lap of Naomi to care for. That baby, Obed,
represented something truly significant
in God’s purposes, being the grandfather
of King David and a descendant in the
genealogy that would bring into the world
the Messiah Jesus.
We are really excited to be part of the
ministry team here in Crowhurst, hearing
how God has done such amazing things
over the last 90 years, as well has sensing
that He has new things in store up ahead
for us all.
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not
perceive it? I am making a way
in the wilderness and streams
in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:19.
David and Colleen Mayhew
Hi everyone, just a short update
from Trevor, your friendly
gardener.
I started working at CCHC in October
2018. It’s a great privilege to be working
here, learning to maintain the many and
amazing varieties of plants, shrubs and
trees. I came with experience and a passion
for working in the natural environment.
Before my arrival, I was promised by the
Lord that He would be my helper.
So, in the daily on-going task of
‘growing’ (pun intended!) into the job, I
have had some successes and some not
successes! I do have a plan of action to
educate myself personally into the exciting
realm of horticulture, so armed with a
hardback RHS manual, stationery, archlever
file, dividers and all that stuff, I’m
doing some study at the ‘CCHC College of
Gardening’ — in my workshop shed!
My hope for 2019 is that the grounds
here at CCHC will be blooming
marvellous!
Trevor
Trevor is obviously going to be a ‘Jack of all
trades’! Here he is helping to shift some of
David and Colleen’s belongings
to their bungalow.
7

90 hours for our hearts to sing: October 2018
There was a ‘taster’ article of the 90 hours
event in the winter magazine and Pippa
has kindly written a more comprehensive
piece which begins with how this event came
into being!
Teatime at Crowhurst Christian Healing
Centre — always an occasion when, fuelled
by cake and a cuppa, thoughts are shared and
ideas hatch. So it was that I found myself in
the lounge one afternoon during 2018 with
Steve G and Stephen (pianist) chatting about
how we might celebrate 90 years of CCHC.
Naturally our thoughts turned to music and
the number 90 and ‘somehow’ the concept
of 90 hours of continuous worship was born.
The Lord moves in mysterious ways! We all
realised what a huge challenge this would be
but we decided to step out in faith and go for
it.
During the months of planning it was felt
that we should interpret the term ‘worship’ as
widely as possible. After all, not everyone is
musical yet we all desire to praise God. Rather
like the gifts of the Spirit we have different
skills and abilities and we enjoy worshipping
God in various ways. We wanted to respect
and celebrate this in the programme. We also
wanted to underpin the whole event with
prayer. In addition, it was important to find
a way of involving everyone who wished to
participate and not just those staying in the
house.
Of course there was quite a bit of music and
singing of different types, but there was also
poetry, dance, art and craft, praise walks, and
times of silence. The programmed activities
ran from 7am until 10pm. To ensure there
was no interruption in worship, many of our
Prayer Partners and others signed up for
hourly slots between these times (you can’t
worship for five days without at least some
sleep)! The house was also open for day
visitors to join us between 9am and 9pm.
As we set off on the journey on 3 rd October
I must admit I just didn’t know what to expect.
I was longing for God to be glorified but you
cannot contain Him or plan ahead for the
Holy Spirit to move. You simply have to bring
your worship in faith that He will receive it.
“Those who sacrifice thank offerings honour
Me.” (Psalm 50:23). What was so encouraging
was that I found others were equally longing
to bless and glorify the God who is worthy of
all our praise. I think many of us were blessed
in unexpected ways, for example trying
something a bit different, even at 7am in the
morning! We were sometimes called out of
our comfort zones. I certainly didn’t expect to
make a model out of play doh!
Folk danced with ribbons, wrote poems,
banged drums and expressed worship in so
many ways and I think people’s gifts were
discovered, some for the first time. There were
different varieties of music on offer to facilitate
praise — from John Brown leading worship
with his guitar, to Stuart Townend, Matt
Redman and Margaret Rizza hours, and Taize
worship.
8

On behalf of us all, I want to thank those
who led sessions. You gave of your time so
unselfishly to help us worship our wonderful
God. Thank you also to the Battle Baptist
Church music group, Marilyn Baker and
Tracy Williamson. Who could forget the
musicianship of James and Steven Conway
and Tracy dancing as Marilyn played? The
worship was truly wonderful.
I also want to pay a special tribute to those
who worshipped and prayed in their own
homes during the more unsocial hours! This
was a real sacrifice of praise and it was good
to know, as you climbed into bed exhausted,
others were continuing the round of worship.
We even had a ‘visit’ from David Suchet
reading the Bible (courtesy of a CD from one
of our Prayer Ministers). This was played
during the night in the Large Chapel.
Our administrator and the office team
were also directly involved in the music
ministry, in addition to normal working
hours, and these 90 Hours would not have
happened were it not for the hospitality and
catering team, who dealt with a lot of extra
work due to the number of people in the
house. Thank you one and all; as I look back
my heart is filled with joy!
There have been one or two whispers of
‘100 Hours’ in my ears as we look ahead to
the 100 th anniversary of CCHC but I think
we shall have to wait on the Lord for that one!
In the meantime, let’s praise Him for all the
blessings and provision of 90 Hours and 90
years. Hallelujah!
Pippa Dunn
Ministry Team
9

Forthcoming Events
Monday 4 to Friday 8 March
Ash Wednesday Retreat
Dying to get it – A Retreat to start Lent?
Dying to get what?
Led by the Crowhurst Team
Jesus began and ended his forty days in
the wilderness — difficult days of testing,
darkness and struggle — full of the power
of the Holy Spirit. His wilderness was no
walk in the park. Would you like to walk
in and out of wilderness experiences like
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit and victorious?
During this retreat we will explore some
aspects of Christian discipleship (there are
so many I’m undecided which to use!), to
inspire, challenge and encourage us on our
journey, not just for Lent, but for life!
6 March
Ash Wednesday Quiet Day
Dying to get it ... a retreat to start Lent.
A day of quiet within the Lent Retreat, a
day which will focus on Christ-likeness.
There will be an opportunity to have the
‘Imposition of Ashes’ during the day.
“Remember that you are dust and to dust
you will return.”
Monday 25 March
Guided Quiet Day
“Nothing is impossible with God”–
Annunciation of the Lord
Led by Suzanne Owen
Quiet Days are for people who are looking
for space to recharge their spiritual batteries.
The day includes guided reflection on a
theme, worship, time for personal prayer
and includes a silent lunch. The cost of the
Quiet days are £30 which includes, tea/
coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, unless
you are a guest in the house, when it is by
donation.
Saturday 25 May
Families Day
The May Families weekend is fully booked,
though at the time of print there is still an
opportunity to come for the day — cost
is £30, with children free. However, if you
would like to come for the whole weekend,
there is another opportunity to do so in
August (24 – 26 August) but do book soon
as these weekends are always very popular!
You and your children can be assured of
a very warm welcome at these Families
weekends, which are always lots of fun
with arts and crafts, worship and plenty
more.
Sally and Becki will once again be at the
helm, with help from some of the Ministry
Team and our wonderful volunteers!
Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 May
Ascension Day Retreat
Remembering the Ascension of Jesus
Join us as we remember the Ascension of
Jesus Christ. From heaven He came as a
helpless babe (Son of Man) and to heaven
He returned as the resurrected Lord (Son
of God). Jesus Christ is the King of Kings!
Take this opportunity to gaze in worship at
the exalted King, to feast around the table
of the King, and to receive mercy from the
hand of the King — all in the comfortable,
spacious surroundings of CCHC, where
you can be sure of delicious meals and a
time to be lost in wonder, awe and love!
Cost of the retreat is £170 non-ensuite and
£190 ensuite.
10

Spring Prayer Requests
Spring Prayer Requests 2019
Please pull out and keep for the coming months
11

spring Prayer Requests
Prayer Focus
“Praise the Lord O my soul; all my inmost being
praise His holy name.” Psalm 103:1
Prayer and Thanksgiving
Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to
our God; how pleasant and fitting to praise Him.
Psalm 147:1
Prayer
• Give thanks and praise that the bungalow
has now been completed, and David and
Colleen have moved in. Hallelujah!
• Please pray for Steve, Suzanne, David, John,
and the management teams as they adjust to
any changes.
• Please pray for Esther, who has now
increased her working days to four.
• Pray for the staff at CCHC, particularly
during the cold months. Pray for good
health and safe journeys, that the roads may
be free of ice and snow. We give thanks for
the way they cover staff absences by doing
extra shifts.
“Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so
great as our God? You are the God who
performs miracles.” Psalm 77: 13 & 14
March Prayer Focus
“Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
march
4 – 8 Ash Wednesday Retreat
6 Quiet day (Ash Wednesday)
15 – 17 Healing Weekend (2)
This weekend is for those
who have attended a
Healing Weekend before and
are seeking to facilitate a
deeper personal encounter
with the Lord who heals.
18 – 24 Healing Space
25 Guided Quiet Day
“Nothing is impossible
with God
Led by Suzanne Owen
12

april Prayer Focus
“You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit
that will last. Then the Father will give you
whatever you ask in my name. This is my
command: love each other.” John 15:16 & 17
april
18 – 21 Easter Retreat
22 –28 Healing Space
Healing Spaces provide an
opportunity to come and participate
in our daily rhythm of worship, and
receive prayer for God`s healing of
mind, body and spirit. Healing Spaces
run for seven nights and guests are
able to stay for the whole retreat or
book within these dates.
The cost is £70 non en-suite room, full
board, per person, per night and £80
en-suite room, full board, per person,
per night.
may Prayer Focus
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from
everlasting to everlasting. Let all people say,
“Amen.” Praise the Lord!” Psalm 106:48
may
15 Teaching Day
Gifts of the Spirit (1)
17 – 23 Healing Space
25 – 27 Families Weekend
25 Families Day
28 – 30 Ascension Day Retreat
Remembering the ascension
of Jesus
31 – 2 June Healing Weekend (1)
This is for any in need of
spiritual, physical and
emotional healing, who
have not attended a Healing
Weekend at CCHC before.
13

Prayer for The Centre
Prayer Focus
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your
plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
trustees’ prayer requests
Nigel Thonger (Chair), Vivien Drakes, Revd
Sally Dryden, Paul Raynor and Revd Denis
Smith
• Give thanks for all that has been done to
celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness to His work
in completing the building and
groundworks that have been done this year.
• We thank our generous supporters who
have made this possible.
• Please pray that the Lord will continue to
bless us with all the provisions we need to
continue His ministry at CCHC.
• Give thanks for Visiting Chaplains and
Prayer Ministers. Continue to pray for the
Lord’s leading in all aspects of who we are
and what we do. May we be obedient to the
Lord’s perfect will and timing.
Prayer for Staff at The Centre
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
chaplaincy and worship
Steve, Suzanne, David, John, Brenda R, Brenda
T, Chris L, Colin, David B, Dee, Gill, Gwen,
Helen, Hildegarde, Jan, Jane, Jenny, Judith,
June, Maggie, Margaret, Maureen, Nigel,
Olive, Pam, Pat, Paul, Penny, Pete, Peter,
Phyllis, Pippa, Rachel, Stephen, Vanessa,
Veronica, Vivien, Visiting Chaplains
office
Esther, Diane, Jane, Jayne, Jenny, John, Juliette,
Maria, Pennie and Veronica
House
Heidi, Abigail, Chrissy, Clare, Ian, Jan, Justine,
Marion, Rosemary, Sarah, Shirley and Steve
Maintenance and garden
Kim, Estelle and Trevor
Magazine eDITOR
Mary
“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart: I
will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and
rejoice in you: I will sing praise to your name,
O most high.” Psalm 9:1 & 2
“Sing and make music in your heart to the
Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father
for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” Ephesians 5:19 & 20
OUR VISION STATEMENT
Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre has a vision to advance the Kingdom of God.
The CCHC vision is fulfilled by: providing a non-denominational residential space where
people can be loved by God; continuing the healing, preaching, teaching of our Lord Jesus
Christ worldwide; using our resources to encourage and teach people to grow in the power
of the Holy Spirit.
14

Remembering Emma
I
was reading the editorial in the Winter
2018 edition of the magazine and Mary
was asking for memories from the
special anniversary year.
I am the mother of Emma MacDonagh,
nee Mabbutt, who in her early twenties
visited Crowhurst Christian Healing
Centre, which was some twenty years ago.
She met an Australian family with a son
called James. One of their visits was in the
snow and they had great fun snowballing
and making a snowman.
Emma married James in 1999,
aged twenty four, after battling with an
inoperable brain tumour, diagnosed
when she was eleven years old. She had
two shunt operations and a full dose of
radiation before she was sixteen.
When Emma reached the age of thirty,
she lost her battle with life and died
peacefully at home in Australia, with James
by her side. James had nursed her 24/7
with care workers for several years.
I have written a book on Emma, with
the help of contributions from friends
and family. Penny Button read the
Emma book in which I had mentioned
Crowhurst, and Penny thought that she
might know Emma’s mother-in-law, Lyn,
from Australia. After a few phone calls we
confirmed this fact. I then wished to visit
Crowhurst where Emma and James had
first met and Penny kindly said she would
take me.
We went on November 9 th 2018 for part
of a day. I attended the 10am service in
the Small Chapel and as the music began
so did my tears. It was good to feel the
closeness of Emma; it is thirteen years
since she died.
The Chaplain who took the service
told me afterwards at coffee how she
remembered the Australian family and the
young couple playing in the snow.
I left an Emma rose bud from my
Emma rose bush by the oak tree.
In 2019 I hope to stay at Crowhurst
with a close friend and bring the pebble
I have painted for Emma of her favourite
bird, the pelican.
Lauren
15

Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre (CCHC)
serves The Nazareth Trust (TNT)
Paul, Penny, Suzanne and Nigel
As a leadership team we took time
to discern the Lord’s leading as to
whether we should return to Nazareth
for a second year, and if so, who should be
part of the team. Paul and I had the privilege
of going last year so we had some idea of what
to expect but Penny and Nigel could only wait
with a growing sense of anticipation! It was a
flurry of activity before departure to prepare
for the teaching, preaching, service leading
and prayer opportunities that we were being
asked to do.
Nazareth Hospital serves approximately
250,000 people each year, including in-patient
and out-patient care across a wide range of
services including general surgery, maternity,
paediatrics, psychiatry, intensive care, a
busy renal dialysis service, a neonatal unit
and a modern cardiac catheterisation suite.
Although the hospital receives payment for
those services from the Ministry of Health,
it continues to retain Independent Hospital
status, allowing them to maintain their
Christian identity, which is deeply rooted
through their 150 years (plus) of service. It is a
faith ministry.
Living in Nazareth, on site in the hospital
complex, is a very different experience
from the usual pilgrimage experiences. It is
impossible to be unaware of the different
environment when hearing the Muslim call
to prayer at regular intervals through the day,
and the Christian church bells tolling their
own calls to worship. In the midst of that are
the sirens heralding imminent arrivals at
A & E bringing those needing urgent care.
The general cacophony of noise is added to by
the constant traffic and tourist buses, toiling
their way up and down the very steep and
narrow streets.
The opportunity to participate in the week
of healing is an unforgettable experience, as
is being entrusted with the personal details
shared in the many prayer encounters. As we
walked the corridors and wards of the hospital
— leaving the footprints of Jesus wherever we
went — we saw the Lord at work in matters
both great and small.
We may have come home at the end of
that week, but Nazareth Hospital continues to
be a presence in our hearts and minds.
Suzanne
Nigel Thonger
I had not done anything like this before!
Meeting people who were touched that we
would come so far to pray with others led to
conversations that were at a much deeper
level than I anticipated. This was enormously
satisfying.
We were separate from the hospital
training, so the talks could be spiritually
centred. The Monday training was given
16

to the Pastoral and Care teams. Paul and
Suzanne gave talks that drew on their years
of experience and were devised to help
volunteers reflect the love and presence of
Jesus in the wards, while also ensuring their
personal spiritual needs were cared for when
the going got tough. The Tuesday training
at the School of Nursing was to help student
nurses to be resilient on the wards in the face
of all the challenges that patients provide, with
special emphasis on how an understanding of
forgiveness can inform their responses. There
was also a visit to the Emergency Department
to discuss being resilient in the face of violence
and abuse in the workplace. The Wednesday
teaching study day was on the theory and
practicality of forgiveness, and the session
was enhanced by wonderful testimonies from
three people who had been blessed by the gift
of being able to forgive those who had hurt
them. All these sessions were well received.
The preaching gave further opportunities
to develop the message of healing and
forgiveness. Suzanne preached on Wednesday
and spoke about bridge building through
forgiveness. I spoke on Thursday and
gave a testimony of God’s lavish grace and
faithfulness at CCHC over the last 25 years
and there was much to tell. We prayed it
would encourage those listeners who were
fighting battles and feeling under pressure in
their lives and situations.
The formal services took place in the
Chapel and were led by some very talented
musicians, but there was also heartfelt
worship in offices and spaces throughout the
hospital every day. We praise the LORD for
His acts of power and we praise Him for his
surpassing greatness. I would say the week’s
objectives were met in abundance. Thank you
Lord!
Nigel speaking in the hospital chapel
during the final healing service of the week
Paul Deeming
As the week progressed, I was conscious
of the underlying concern of many about the
culture of unrest and violence in society, and
we were often asked to pray for peace and
healing in the community. This was high on
the agenda when we had the opportunity
to share and pray with the catering and the
maintenance staff of the hospital. A very
moving time for me was when Nigel and I
had the opportunity to share with patients in
the psychiatric ward. The wonderful charge
nurse was obviously respected and loved
by the patients. When we arrived, he had
assembled all the patients around a table —
we had not anticipated a mixed religious
group session! However, the Lord’s hand
was on that meeting and after a short time of
relaxed introduction to the week of healing
and forgiveness, patients began to share their
personal stories and some of the deep hurts
of their past. We were able to share of their
value in God’s sight and assure them of prayer
17

and the Lord’s help. There was an invitation
to return again. A bookmark in Arabic,
prepared by Frank, the Spiritual Director, was
given to them with the words, ‘I pray that you
may enjoy good health, and that all will go
well with you, even as your soul is getting along
well.’ (3 John verse 2).
Penny Button
What struck me again and again during
our week at Nazareth Hospital was staff,
volunteers and patients’ passion for the
Hospital. We were repeatedly told that they
were born in the maternity ward, as were
their parents, grandparents and indeed their
children, and whilst we were there, several
staff asked for prayer for their family who
were being treated in the hospital.
Visiting wards and departments was not
easy! It was a complex maze with over five
floors shooting off at all sorts of angles to join
the old with the new, and we frequently got
lost! There was a need for great sensitivity as
the staff were busy and sometimes it was not
appropriate for us to stay.
Most times the staff gathered around in
a quiet corner and we asked them how they
wanted us to pray. Often it was for peace in
their communities, for unity in the workplace,
and for blessings upon their families.
On one occasion, an elderly man on the
Dialysis unit saw me outside through the
glass. I went in and asked if I could pray with
him; I wasn’t sure he understood me, but I
indicated prayer and he nodded. I asked if I
could put a hand on his and prayed for Jesus
to heal, and to bring peace, comfort and
blessings. We wiped the tears from his brown,
wizened cheeks and quietly left.
The Paediatric Ward has been
modernized and enlarged, and was officially
rededicated whilst we were there. Suzanne
prayed in English and the Pastor prayed in
Arabic.
On one occasion Suzanne and I were
invited into the neo-natal ward, where we
gowned up and were shown around by the
Senior staff member who told us that they had
just heard they had won an award for the best
neo-natal unit in Israel for small hospitals.
She was extremely proud and justifiably so.
We prayed for every baby and their mothers,
and then with the senior staff member, who
in turn prayed blessings on us, which was a
poignant moment, and we were sorry it was
time to leave.
We prayed with nearly all senior and
executive staff, with staff, volunteers and
Trustees after services, the Teaching Day
and through drop-in sessions. We prayed in
maintenance departments, psychiatric units,
admin and finance departments, with young
doctors at their weekly meeting, with friends
of the Hospital, and more. Where language
was difficult, a friend would translate.
Personally, I was amazed at how people
trusted us with their fears and concerns, with
family and relationship issues, with health and
emotional matters, and with future planning.
There were many tears and hugs; we were
told they had never been prayed for in this
way so it was a new experience. As we loved
them in Jesus’ name, so they responded. My
picture is a tight bud of a flower, which over
the week gently opened and blossomed with a
sweet fragrance. A very rich and blessed time
indeed; Jesus was very present throughout
and we give Him all the Glory, the Praise and
the Honour!
18

Suzanne with the student nurses,
following the talk in the School of Nursing
A Nazareth meal in the Nazareth
Village, served as it would have
been in Jesus’ day
Olives being pressed by donkey (re-enactment in Nazareth Village)
19

The Transformative Presence of Jesus
November 2018
Dr Gareth
Tuckwell
Suzanne
Owen
Professor
Shakil Malik
Steve Gendall
Dr Paul Worthley
Thank you to Margaret Bundy and
Barry Ranger for their contributions
about this inspiring weekend. As
space was limited, I have amalgamated both
articles.
The weekend was built on the fact that
Jesus is always present — well, if you think
about it He is, and it’s a bit breathtaking!
During the Healing Service on Friday
evening, we looked at different ways of
realising Jesus’ presence. What worked
wonderfully for me was a meditation during
which we were told “You can say anything to
Jesus.” I did, and his response was liberating!
On Saturday, Consultant Brain Surgeon,
Professor Shakil Malik, spoke about
spiritual oppression and mental health.
He talked of the prime importance of the
spiritual aspect of life, of the brain and
how it works. One in four people will
know mental health problems, he said, and
he gave a short overview of the complex
working of the brain; here are just a few
fascinating ‘brain’ facts. There are:
▶▶
100,000 miles of blood vessels;
▶▶
600 miles of electrical wiring;
▶▶
100 billion neutrons (as many stars
as in the Milky Way)!
We are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully
made!” Psalm 139:14.
Dr Gareth Tuckwell, former Director of
Burrswood, spoke about praying for those
with deteriorating medical conditions and
how sensitive we need to be when we come
alongside the terminally ill. Often sick
people have many misconceptions about
their illness:
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
▶▶
That suffering is contrary to God’s
will.
God must heal in the context of
cure, which inevitably follows faith.
Death is a disaster.
That sickness is always caused by
sin.
That modern medicine has
superseded the Church’s Ministry of
Healing.
Dispelling these wrong concepts can
bring much needed peace. Prayer is so
important along with a listening ear. Jesus
will meet us all at our point of need.
20

Suzanne spoke about childhood
trauma and how we are either ‘weebles or
dominoes’. Weebles do not fall over they just
wobble a little and come back upright. In
childhood, good experiences and a strong
sense of self make for good emotional
health and enable us to be more likely to
manage trauma. People who missed out on
good early development and have a lack of
self worth, not necessarily parents’ fault,
are more likely to ‘fall over’ when trauma
or problems arise. Childhood trauma can
impact on our lives and have consequences
such as panic attacks, mental problems and
addictions, and can physically affect us with
migraines, back pain, skin disorders and
digestive problems.
Dr. Paul Worthley, Director of the ME
Trust, spoke about ME, a ‘multi-system’ and
often undiagnosed disease, which affects
many aspects of the patient’s physiology and
causes much suffering. He visits patients
in their homes and can find them curled
up in a darkened room, unable to relax or
sleep, with digestive upsets, heightened
sensitivity and in pain. The first step in the
management of ME, he said, is to establish
true rest (physical, mental and spiritual).
Treatment should be tailored to each
person’s needs. Dr Paul starts by recognising
the patient’s story and assuring them that
they are not going mad! When treating
people he has a ‘whole person’ approach
(involving body, mind and spirit) and even
without a ‘cure’, this approach can enable
our bodies to repair and produce a measure
of healing, and a journey towards better
health is therefore possible.
Steve Gendall spoke about forgiveness
and the freeing that this can bring. He
shared his own personal struggle of how
difficult this can be. He said it’s not about
forgetting — it doesn’t approve or let people
off the hook — and it’s not easy.
Steve gave us a detailed explanation
of the ‘seven stages of forgiveness’, with
the final stage being we are at peace with
our whole life story. Forgiveness, he said,
is at the heart of the Gospel message, but
there is one who would come to destroy
our relationship with God by planting
unforgiveness in our hearts.
Revd John Ryeland, Director of The
Christian Healing Mission UK, was our
speaker at the Sunday morning Healing
Service. His talk was entitled “Attitude
Matters” and he spoke about how attitudes
affect the way in which we receive from
God. ‘Be at peace in the presence of God. Rest
in His giving. Explore His presence — what is
He doing? Know that He is there for me, for
you, because we are His beloved.’ John had us
all stand up and reflect where was God for
me? He was on my left with His arm around
my shoulder and I could rest my head on
His shoulder. Was Jesus present? Oh my, yes
He truly was!
It was truly a wonderful and
enlightening weekend and we were all so
blessed.
Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
21

Book Review: Loved Beyond Measure:
A Crowhurst Publication
We are very excited to announce a
new Crowhurst publication for
2019. ‘Loved Beyond Measure’
contains 90 testimonies from guests and
visitors who came to the Centre during
2018. The book also has journal pages for
your own thoughts and reflections, and for
the creative among you, there are several
pages of beautiful Bible verses/illustrations
to colour in.
There have been thousands of visitors
through the doors of CCHC since its birth in
1928 and if testimonies had been collected
from the beginning, it would take a very big
book to accommodate them!
The testimonies are from a mixture of
first time and regular visitors; some are from
programmed events, some from Healing
Weekends and some from folk who just
wanted to ‘come aside and rest awhile.’ Some
are long and some short, but each tells of
what the Lord has done and how He met
with them, in whatever way was needed at
the time.
The amazing testimony on the right shows
how God heals even when we’re not asking
for prayer for ourselves!
The book will be soon be available at
CCHC, and we pray that all who read it will
be blessed and encouraged.
It was another Thursday morning service
in the Large Chapel and for once I fancied
sitting at the back to see what went on.
It was one of the regular healing services
which are held every Tuesday evening and
Thursday morning, when many dear people
have been truly blessed and healed in the
past.
I moved to sit at the front where I could
see what was happening and felt myself
praying for people as they came forward to
kneel down at the altar. I can’t remember if
it was Stephen or Pippa on the piano, but
the presence of God filled the Chapel as they
played music so quietly and beautifully.
I leaned forward and touched my right
knee, for I have been in constant pain day
and night for many years. Suddenly, I
thought, “NO PAIN!” I moved my leg, still
no pain! Then I realised, praise God, that
while I was praying there at the altar rail
for other people, Jesus had given my leg a
healing, a release from pain and stiffness.
Tears flowed quickly as I praised Him for
this miracle. For years, doctors in Ashford
and Folkstone had told me they could not
operate — well, the great physician Himself
did it all in a moment of time! The problem
in my right leg, which had caused so much
pain for so many years, has completely
disappeared.
Wait on the Lord. He always answers in
His time and way. God be with you; give
yourself and all your needs to Him. He
always longs to hear your voice — let Him
do His will in your life!
Doreenw
22

Staff Christmas Party 2018
Why did no-one bid for Rudolf
and Blitzen on eBay? Who hides
in the bakery at Christmas?
How does Good King Wenceslas like
his pizza? Examples of the sorts of quiz
questions we were scratching our heads
over as we enjoyed the delicious Christmas
buffet prepared by the kitchen team. The
quiz was in aid of Save the Children (we
raised £200). Answers are bottom right,
upside down to stop you peeking!
Dressing up wasn’t just the prerogative
of those in Christmas jumpers and little
did we know, we were in for a treat in
the form of John Brown in a purple wig!
Suzanne and Steve joined him on stage for
a high energy Christmas performance with
audience participation.
Chrissy’s annual Christmas song, a
compilation of the significant 2018 CCHC
events, was sung to the tune of Good King
Wenceslas.
Juliette’s performance was particularly
beautiful as she sang “Bethlehem Lullaby”,
which was written especially for her and
Alan by the Revd Val Gibbs.
In usual CCHC Christmas Party style,
the evening was brought to a close with
Christmas Carols, and Stephen and Maggie
leading us in singing “We’re Walking in
the Air”. An apt celebration to end our 90 th
year. Perhaps the words from that iconic
“Snowman song” are fitting when we think
about 90 years of God’s faithfulness:
“We’re holding very tight … I’m finding
I can fly so high above with you … Children
gaze open mouthed, taken by surprise,
nobody down below believes their eyes!”
Esther
Answers: Because they were two deer/
Mince Spies/Deep and crisp and even.
23

How to contact us
Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre
The Old Rectory, Crowhurst,
Battle, East Sussex TN33 9AD
Telephone: 01424 830204
Bookings: 01424 830033
Email: bookings.cchc@btconnect.com
Email: crowhurstrectory@btconnect.com
Web: www.crowhursthealing.org.uk
The office is open from 9am – 6pm
Monday to Friday and 9am – 4pm Saturday
For a brochure, programme or further
information, please contact the office.
Follow us on Twitter @Crowhurstchc
Registered Charity No. 208738
Who’s who
President
Rt Revd Dr Martin Warner, Bishop of Chichester
Chair of Trustees
Nigel Thonger
LEADERSHIP TEAM:
Senior Chaplain
Revd Steve Gendall
Chaplain WITH CENTRE OVERSIGHT
Suzanne Owen
ADMINISTRATION mANAGER
John Brown
Prayer Partners Co-ordinator
Shirley Dawson
Magazine EDITOR
Mary Slater (marys56@hotmail.co.uk)
While this magazine is issued free of
charge, an annual donation of £10.00
to cover costs is most helpful. If you are
able to Gift Aid your donation, this adds
another 25p for every £1 you give.
Our Chaplains: Steve, Suzanne and David